Border Haats

23-Jul-2018: First Meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Committee on Border Haats held in Agartala

The first meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Committee on Border Haats was held on 22-23 July 2018 in Agartala, Tripura. In the meeting both sides noted the positive impact of Border Haats on the livelihoods of the people living in areas adjoining the Haats. Extensive discussions were held on issues related to review of operations of the four functional Border Haats and suggestions for improvement, timeline for setting up the six additional Border Haats that had earlier been agreed to by both sides and the roadmap for further expansion of Border Haats. It was agreed that the next meeting would be held in Bangladesh on mutually agreed dates.

The Joint Committee visited the Border Haat at Kamlasagar (Sipahijala District, Tripura) – Tarapur (Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh) on 22 July 2018, appreciated its vibrant functioning and noted the need for improvement of infrastructure.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Border Haats between India and Bangladesh signed on 8th April 2017 provides for establishment of a Joint Committee to review the border Haats operations, suggest modifications in the operational modalities and propose new locations of Border Haats.

2017

15-Mar-2017: Cabinet approves revised MoU and Mode of Operation between India and Bangladesh for establishing Border Haats

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the Revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Mode of Operation (MoO) between India and Bangladesh for establishing Border Haats on India-Bangladesh Border.

The Border Haats aim at promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries, by promoting traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets. These measures help to improve economic well-being of marginalised sections of society.

Currently four Border Haats are operational, two each in Meghalaya and Tripura, which were established and operationalized under the MoU and Mode of operation of Border Haats earlier signed between Bangladesh and India on 23rd October, 2010, Subsequently, an Addendum to Mode of operation of Border Haats was also signed on 15th May, 2012. The Revised MoU and Mode of Operation will provide a legal framework for establishment and operationalization of additional Border Haats.